Chapter 86
Taming the Dragon
"Hiei" Yukina said as she walked into the room Hiei and Nami were in. Hiei was sitting next to the bed as Nami slept. She still hadn't woken up. Yukina had determined that her back had been broken in three places and all but four of her ribs were broken. Nami was lucky she wouldn't be paralyzed.
Yukina sighed when she looked at her brother. Hiei hadn't left the room since the battle. His skin was paler, he was too tired to sit up straight, and his breathing had become hoarse. "What is it Yukina?" Hiei asked. "I just came to give you breakfast" she replied holding out a tray. "Thank you" Hiei said as he accepted and started eating.
"Where's the wolf?" Hiei asked. "It's that time of the month again. Riku's going through his sleep cycle so he won't be up today" Yukina replied. Hiei nodded and continued eating.
They heard a knock at the door and looked over to see Kurama standing there. "Hello you two" he said. "Hello Kurama" Yukina replied smiling. "Hn" Hiei said. "Kairi sent me. The twins got their hands on some sugar again and she needs your help" Kurama replied. Yukina sighed and turned to Hiei. "Go on" Hiei said. Yukina gave him a peck on the cheek before heading out to find Kairi.
Kurama looked at Hiei then at Nami. "How are you doing my friend?" Kurama asked. "How should a failure feel?" Hiei replied. "Hiei, you're not a failure" Kurama said. "Yes I am! Look at her, she's lucky to still be alive!" Hiei said. Kurama sighed and pulled up a chair next to Hiei. "I can tell this is affecting you very deeply Hiei. As mates, you and Nami are bonded now. You feel each other's pain. That's why you can't act like this. Even though she's unconscious, she can feel your pain. The best thing for you to do is stop beating yourself up like this and start looking ahead. There's going to be a battle the likes of which the human world has never seen. We need you at top condition" Kurama said.
Hiei didn't reply he just stared at Nami. "Hiei?" Kurama said. "I can't Kurama. What if we run into Demonus? He'll probably finish the job. And you can bet he'll use his dragon" Hiei replied. "Then we'll just have to get stronger as well" Kurama said calmly. "Demonus's attack made my dragon look like a candle flame. I'll never have the power to bring out my dragon's full potential. The Jagan can't summon the power properly" Hiei replied.
"The Jagan may not, but you can Hiei. Before you got the Jagan you were more powerful than most demons could dream of being. You were an S-class demon before you entered adolescence. You once told me the Jagan weakened you but you managed to regain most of it using the eye. But the power you once wielded without it is still with you. Don't count on the Jagan for your power Hiei. If you unlock your old power and combine it with the Jagan's you'll reach a level beyond anything you've ever experienced" Kurama replied. Hiei remained silent.
"You know I'm right" Kurama said. "Tell Yukina and the other's I'll be leaving. I've got some training to do" Hiei said standing up. Kurama smirked and stood up as well. "So how long will you be gone?" he asked. "I'll return a week before the invasion. That should be enough time" Hiei replied as he picked up the katana he received at the tournament. "I'm sure Nami will wake up before you arrive" Kurama replied. "You and the others take care of her, or you'll answer to me" Hiei said with a glint in his eyes that showed he was serious. Kurama smiled and nodded.
"Good luck Hiei" he said holding out his hand. Hiei extended his hand and grasped Kurama's. They said a silent good bye before Kurama let go and walked out.
Hiei turned to Nami's sleeping form. "Nami I won't let you down again. I will unlock my true power again. I swear it" Hiei said. He bent down and kissed Nami's lips before flitting out the nearby window.
A few days later
Hiei was running through the forests of the Makai slicing his way through the trees as he ran. His bruised and cut up body showed the extent of his training. He stopped and fell to one knee. I know I'm can handle more Hiei thought as he stood up. He disappeared and continued his way through the forest.
He was about to slice through a tree when he sensed something. He jumped to the side just in time to avoid a blast of black spirit energy. The moment he landed he disappeared again to avoid another. A larger one was sent and he sliced through it with his katana.
"Very good Hiei" a voice said. "Come out and face me" Hiei replied. "Very well" the voice replied. Hiei couldn't sense anyone. Something tapped his shoulders and he spun around and swung. Whoever it was ducked under the swing. Hiei swung again but the stranger caught the blade.
"Calm yourself Hiei, I am not your enemy" the stranger said. Hiei narrowed his eyes and jumped back. He finally got a good look at the stranger. He was wearing a black cloak similar to Hiei's except the sleeves were baggier and it had a hood that completely concealed the stranger's face. "Who are you?" Hiei asked. "My name it irrelevant" the stranger replied. "Why did you attack me?" Hiei asked. "To test your reflexes. I was impressed by your ability to respond to surprises" the stranger said.
That voice sounds familiar Hiei thought. "What do you want?" Hiei asked. "I've come to help you" he replied. "How?" Hiei said. "First thing's first. Catch" the stranger replied tossing a potion to Hiei. Hiei caught it and looked at it. "A healing potion" he said. "I want you at 100%" the stranger said. Hiei looked at him cautiously. "It's not poisoned. As I said, I'm on your side" the stranger said. "Who sent you?" Hiei asked. "A friend. Now are you going to drink that?" the stranger replied.
Hiei hesitated but brought the vile up to his lips and drank it. The potion was sweet and creamy. Hiei finished it and tossed the vile to the side. Immediately he felt all the pain in his body disappear. "Now do you trust me?" the stranger asked. "I've learned trust isn't something so easily gained. So you gave me a healing potion. I still can't trust you" Hiei said. "I expected such an answer" the stranger replied.
"You said you came to help me. Just how do you plan on doing that?" Hiei asked. "First things first. I have to test you to see if you can handle it" the stranger replied. "Handle what exactly?" Hiei asked his grip on his katana tightening. "If you pass I'll tell you" the stranger said. Hiei narrowed his eyes. "Your on" he said readying his katana. "Good" the stranger said.
Hiei was caught off guard when a katana appeared in the stranger's right hand. He had reached for it so quickly and fluidly that Hiei hadn't followed the movement. To Hiei, it seemed as if the weapon had simply appeared in the stranger's hand. He's fast Hiei thought.
"Make your move Hiei" the stranger said. "Aren't we overconfident" Hiei said before disappearing. The stranger stood in place his katana at his side. He raised it to the side and it clashed with Hiei's. Hiei disappeared and attacked the stranger's left but the stranger blocked his swing with his weapon.
Hiei drew back and swung again and again. The stranger blocked or parried each swing without even moving from his spot. Hiei swung downward at him but the stranger parried the attack to the side and pressed his blade against Hiei's neck. "That was just a warm up Hiei. I hope you have more power than this" the stranger said.
Hiei growled and jumped back. "My turn" the stranger said. He raised his left hand and sent a shockwave of spirit energy at him. Hiei braced himself but was blown back by the attack. The stranger charged and swung at Hiei. He managed to block the swing and counter but the stranger flitted out of the way.
Hiei flitted as well and they started fighting at high speed. The stranger reappeared and stood in place waiting fro Hiei to attack. Horizontal swing to the left he thought as he ducked Hiei's swing. Next, two thrusts followed by and upward swing he thought as he dodged Hiei's next assault. "You're easy to predict Hiei" the stranger said. Hiei didn't reply and charged. Downward swing he thought as he stepped to the side and avoided Hiei's attack.
"FIST OF THE MORTAL FLAME" the stranger was caught off guard as Hiei's cloak burned off his body to reveal his flame-covered fist. Hiei's attack slammed into the stranger's chest and caused him to go flying back. He managed to regain control and landed on a tree branch.
"Very good Hiei. Using your cloak as cover while you powered up" the stranger said. Hiei growled. My attack didn't cause enough damage he thought. "What else do you have?" the stranger asked.
Hiei smirked and flames erupted around his body. "DARK FLAME TSUNAMI" a wave of black flames flew from Hiei's body and toward the stranger. The stranger extended his sword and a black glow surrounded the blade. Hiei watched in shock as the flames parted when they reached the stranger.
He took that moment to attack and the stranger flitted out of the way. Hiei decided he had to find a better place to fight and ran into the forest. He sensed his opponent and saw him running beside him. Hiei picked up the pace but the stranger managed to keep up.
They reached a field in the middle of the forest and stopped running. Hiei readied his sword and the stranger did the same. They charged and started clashing swords in the middle of the field. Hiei was starting to tire but the stranger didn't seem at all fazed. He used simple movements to dodge and parry each of Hiei's swings.
He grabbed Hiei by the neck and used a black spirit blast to send him flying into a tree. Before Hiei could react, the stranger's sword was pressed against his neck. "You lasted longer than I thought. But you still failed" the stranger said. "Look down" Hiei replied smirking. The stranger looked down and was visibly surprised. The tip of Hiei's sword was a centimeter from the stranger's stomach. "A draw" the stranger said before pulling back.
"So do I pass?" Hiei asked. The stranger must have sheathed his sword because the weapon was no longer in his hand. "You do Hiei. Now what do you want to know?" the stranger asked. "How can you help me?" Hiei asked. "I heard you wish to bring out the Dragon of the Darkness Flame's true power like the Demon Prince Demonus can. Am I correct?" the stranger said. Hiei nodded.
The stranger spun around and slashed the air with his index finger. A black portal appeared in front of him. "Follow me" the stranger said before jumping in. Hiei remained in place. Why does he seem familiar? He thought. He shrugged it off and followed the stranger into the portal.
He found himself in a black void. The air was thin and hot and he could sense a great deal of spirit energy. As his eyes adjusted he could see a landscape covered in black fire. In the distance was a volcano with black lava pouring out of it.
"What is this place?" Hiei said. "This is a parallel dimension Hiei. The realm of the Dragon of the Darkness Flame" the stranger replied. "What?" Hiei said. "This is where the dragon lives. The place it dwells until its power is summoned to the mortal world. The volcano over there is its lair" the stranger said pointing at the volcano.
"If you want to master the power, you must defeat the dragon's physical form" the stranger said before running toward the volcano. "Wait" Hiei said as he gave chase. After a few minutes of running he found the stranger standing in front of a cave on the volcano's side.
"This is as far as I can take you. The dragon waits at the tunnel's end" the stranger said. Hiei looked at the cave. He could sense a great power on the other end. "I wish you luck Hiei" the stranger said. "Hn" Hiei said before walking into the tunnel.
He looked around as he walked. He used his Jagan to see through the darkness and could clearly make out skeletons along the cave's walls. I'm not the first Hiei thought. A tremendous roar echoed through the tunnel making Hiei stop. "That must be the dragon" Hiei said. He continued on until he came to a set of doors. He ripped his bandana off and tightened his grip on his katana. "Here goes nothing" he said before opening the doors and walking in.
His eyes widened at what he said. In front of him was a huge chamber with a huge pit filled with black lava that radiated spirit energy. Standing in it was the biggest Japanese dragon he had ever seen. It was over five hundred feet long with black scales and a row of silver spikes going along its back. Its eyes were completely red and it had a mane and claws made of black flames. A pair of horns on its head pointed back giving it a sleek look. The dragon roared and looked at Hiei.
Hiei winced when he felt a great pain surge through his right arm. He could see his dragon tattoo glowing under the bandages. "It's reacting the dragon's presence. It really is the Dragon of the Darkness Flame" Hiei said looked back to the dragon. The dragon looked Hiei straight in the eyes and the two stared at each other for a few minutes. "You may be a magnificent beast, but I must slay you to attain the power I need" Hiei said readying his katana.
The dragon narrowed its eyes and opened its mouth revealing a mouthful of fangs. Black fire shot out toward Hiei. Hiei jumped back and avoided the blast but the intense heat kept him from advancing. The dragon swung at him with its massive claws but Hiei managed to avoid them but the flames singed his skin.
He flitted out of the way of the dragon's next swing. He appeared on its back and started running toward the head. He grunted as the dragon's tail wrapped around his waist and threw him into the sides of the chamber. The dragon let out another roar and pillars of lava shot out of the ground near Hiei. He rolled to the side and avoided them then flitted toward the dragon.
The dragon sent another fire blast at the fire demon but Hiei sliced through it. The dragon growled and charged him. It opened its mouth to swallow Hiei. Hiei jumped back and the jaws snapped shut inches from his body. The dragon snorted sending a plume of steam toward Hiei. Hiei powered up and blew the steam back. The dragon continued to snap at Hiei. Hiei finally saw an opening and swung. He slashed the dragon's nose causing it to rear back. Hiei leapt into the air and raised his sword.
The dragon regained its composure and fired at Hiei. Hiei had no time to dodge and the flames hit him head on. The attack pressed him against the wall. He could feel his power starting to disappear as he came closer and closer to death. Suddenly an intense glow of black and dark blue energy erupted from his body and blew the flames back. He could tell the power was coming from his tattoo. "It seems someone is on my side" Hiei said.
The dragon growled and prepared for another blast. "I wonder how my dragon will fair against you" Hiei said as he tossed his katana to his left hand and fisted his right. Black flames surrounded his body. The dragon roared and fired. "DRAGON OF THE DARKNESS FLAME" his own dragon roared out of his hand. It was bigger than any other he'd fired. The two attacks collided causing a huge explosion that shook the whole volcano.
Hiei appeared above the dragon and prepared the thrust his sword. The dragon sent shockwaves toward him but he continued toward it. "Take this!!!" Hiei yelled. "SWORD OF THE DARKNESS FLAME" he thrust his sword forward and it extended into the dragon's forehead. The dragon roared in pain and blew Hiei back. Hiei landed in a crouching position and watch as the dragon swung its head side to side. The spirit energy in the room was starting to go unstable and the ground shook from it. The dragon let out one final roar before exploding. Hiei watched as the explosion headed for him. He was to exhausted to move and knew he couldn't get out of the way. He fell to the ground and felt himself start to lose consciousness. Just before going unconscious he felt and arm wrap around his waist and pull him up.
The next thing he knew he was staring up at a star-filled sky. "Where am I?" he said. "Back in the Makai" the stranger's voice replied. Hiei slowly sat up and looked around. He lay on top of some furs. The stranger had started a fire and was leaning against a tree on the other side of the campsite. "How did I get here?" Hiei asked. "When you defeated the dragon the resulting explosion caused the whole dimension to collapse. It now ceases to exist" the stranger replied.
Hiei realized he wasn't wearing his bandages around his arm. "I removed them. You no longer need them. The dragon's spirit now resides in you. Its power is yours to command if you learn to wield it" the stranger said. Hiei examined his arm and could feel the power radiating off of it.
"Now what?" Hiei asked. "I have done all I can to help. Now all you need do is continue your training. The dragon will help you unlock the power you once had before you received the Jagan. Your true power will be awakened at last" the stranger replied. "I guess I should thank you" Hiei said. "No thanks are necessary. Just use the power to protect your friends, your sister, and most importantly your mate" the stranger replied. "I will" Hiei said picking up his sword. "Farewell whoever you are" Hiei said before flitting into the night.
The stranger remained in place until his fire died down. He removed his hood to reveal a head of spiked up hair with red highlights and a red streak and a pair of crimson eyes. "Farewell, my son" he said before fading away.
Yes the stranger was Katana. Hiei has the dragon under control and only needs a little training. Anyway the next chapter will be up on the usual Sunday.
Next chapter, Gurumin summons Riku for the toughest test our favorite wolf demon has ever faced. Review please.
